Bowling-pin.



B. MERKLEN. BOWLING- PIN. APPLIOATION FILED APB. 28, 1909.

S @51, M4/QAM 6x rru awww:

Patented Nov. 16, 1909.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

BENJAMIN MERKLEN, F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB T0 BENJAMIN MERKLEN,

` JR., 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

BOWLING-PIN.

Specification. of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 16V, 1909.

.Application led April 28, 1909. Serial N0. 492,782.

land State of New York, have invented new eral principal parts are Asecured to ether at -and combination of parts hereinafter fullyv and useful Improvements in Bowling-Pins, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in ten pins, and has particular relation to the manner in which the pin is formed.

The principal bject of my invention is to provide a built-up ten pin in which the sevthe time the pin is formed, one o the elements ofthe pin being in itself ofl built-up structure.

A further object is to rovide the ballstriking face of the pin in t e form of a plurality of relatively narrow sections permanently secured together, the vsections being prearranged in such manner as to rovide against cracking, chipping, splitting, or

breaking of the pin whlle the latter is in use.

Atfurther object is to provide a pin which, while ossessing the advantages in construction o a'divided pln, forms, when the pin is completed, .the permanent equivalent of aone-plece pin.

To these and other ends, the nature of which will be readily understoodas the invention is hereinafter disclosed, said invention consists in the improved construction described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in A the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts in each of the views, Figure 1 is a view in elevation of' a pin constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken centrally of the pin. l i

A ten pinformed in accordance with my invention,-preferably comprises a number of parts which, Whensecured together, form a pin which is entirely free from metallic connections, and has its elements permanently connected together. These elements are the separate head and base ofthe pin, a laminatedy ball-striking portion, and an interior connecting element. These elements will now be described in detail.

Referring first to the ball-striking portionl of the pin, this element,

designated as 10,

consist-s of a plurality of strips or vpieces 11 of wood of a suitable kind secured together by gluing vto form a block, the strips being arranged with the grain of the wood of adjacent strips lextending in parallel planes, but at substantial right angles to each other, this arrangement providing for the' grain of alternate strips running in the' same direction. The block so formed is of a size greater than that required to form the body or ball-striking portion of the pin, said block being-adapted to be'turned down to the proper size and shape after the block has become thoroughly set and dried. This block is provided with a central opening 12 extending interiorly through the block and crossing each ofthe strips of which the block is composed The head 13 and the base 14 of the pin are shaped in a manner such that when assembled with the shaped block, will produce the external configuration of a ten pin of the generally accepted type. The head and base are separated, each ofsaid parts being provided with a stud 15 of a diameter to substantially fit the opening 12, said studs having a combined length slightly less than the lengthvof said opening and being adapted, in the assembling of the elements, to be glued to thewall of the opening 12, as hereinafter set forth. The studs 15 are each provided with a longitudinally extending recessv 16 adapted to receive a dowel pinA 17 by means of which the head and base are secured together, the dowel pin the Whole of therecesses formed in the studs 15.

After the several parts have been properly shaped, the dowel pin 17 is inserted withinv the recess of the stud 15 carried by the base, being glued therein in the usual manner of securing dowel pins in position. The block 10 is then placed in position on the stud 15 of the base, said stud having been provided with an exterior coating of glue and the wall of the opening 12 having been similarly coated, after which the head with .its stud 15 properly provided with the securing substance, has its stud 15 pushed into the opening 12, the recess 16 of the stud receiving the upper end of the dowel pin 17, and by being driven, the parts are secured together, substantially all of the contacting surfaces of the several parts being glued.

By this construction it will be seen, that although the ten-pin includes tivo 'elements formed separate from each other and positioned t6 provide no inter-engagement, the doWel pin 17 Will serve not only to provide 'against a separation of the parts by reason of the glued connection, but Will also serve to support the opposing ends of the head and base, the elements referred to. And by providingV the break formed inthe continuity of the length of the ten-pin by the division line between the head and base, 'at a point approximate the center of the length of the opening 12, the block 10' and studs l5 cooperate to withstand the shocks and jars incident kto the playing of the game of ten pins. The fact that the base is substantially imperforate, eliminates the requirement of the use of any metallic binder at -this point, presenting an advantage in that the presence of any externalmetallic surface is eliminated, in addition, the cost of construction is materially cheapened, since the interior structure is composed practically of Wooden elements secured together by glue or an equivalent securing medium.

By forming the block l0 in the manner indicated, there is provided a construction which is exceedingly durable, not liable to crack or split, or chip, and Which Will afford the necessary resisting qualities vrrequired in preventing a breaking' of the tenpin interiorly of the block.

It will be understood, of course, that it is not necessary that the several elements be shaped in advance to provide the external configuration of the ten pin, since the several elements may be tirst secured together in the manner described, and vthen the assembled elements turned to'produce the com` plete configuration.

VHaving thus described my invention vvhat l l' claim as new is: l

LA ten pin comprising a head, a base,

andv a body portion, said body portion' havling a relatively smooth axial bore', said head and' base each extending Within the body portion and having their inserted ends 'adjacent each other, the line of separation of the inserted ends being approximately mid- Way of the length of the body portion, and means for connecting said inserted ends, said means extending into the head and base respectively.

2. In a ten pin, a head, a base, and a body portion, said body`portion having a relatively smooth bore and comprising a series ot' strips secured together with the grain of adjacent strips extending in approximate parallel planes and at right angles to each other, said strips each extending in opposition to and having a direct securing engagement with either the head or base.

3. A ten pin comprising a head having a stud, a base also having a stud, said studs extendingl in axial alinement and each having a longitudinally extending recess, a

dowel pin litting and being secured Within the recesses to securethe head and base together, and-a body portion surrounding the studs, the free ends of said studs being located entirely Within and extending approxiportion.

4. A ten pin comprising a head having a stud, a base also having a stud, said studs extending in axial alinement and each havdoWel pin tting and being secured Within said recesses to secure the head and base together, and a body portion 'surrounding the studs, the free ends oisaid studs being l0- proximately midway of the length of the body portion, -said bodyv portion being of laminated construction. f

w In testimony whereof I have hereunto setmately midway of the length of the body ling a longitudinally extending recess, al

cated entirely .Within and extendingapmy hand in presence of two subscribing wtnesses.- Y. 4 c v BENJAMIN MERKLEN. Witnesses: l y v FRANK ZELMER, i

XAVIER MERKLEN,` 

